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Archive | August 2017

I’ve noticed that when I’ve had a rough week and I don’t pray enough, I feel more tired than even when I’ve done physical labor. The reverse is also true for me that I still experience a special energy when I ‘m filled up with prayer and the word of God even while being physically exhausted.

We are expected to feel tired when we do hard work, but our mind remains intact. In fact, we feel a sense of accomplishment when we complete a task. That is because our bodies produce neurochemicals to help us absorb and mitigate some of the pain that is a natural consequence of daily living. Dr. Christopher Bergland calls them the 7 molecules of happiness. These neurochemicals are neuro chemicals are endocannabinoids, dopamine, oxytocin, endorphin, serotonin, GABA and adrenaline.

While they all have distinct characteristics, they can be triggered or slowed down by each other. For the sake of this article, I will only concentrate on four of the seven that Dr. Christopher Bergland has described: Dopamine: the reward-molecule; oxytocin: “the bonding molecule”, GABA, “The anti-anxiety molecule” and serotonin: “the confidence molecule.” He notes that purpose driven activities increase the level of dopamine in our brains and gives us the sense of satisfaction for setting and executing goals. Oxytocin is the molecule that fosters trust, loyalty, and intimacy. In our society where we have high divorce rates, people are overly tense about spatial proximity and suspicious about each other, it would come as no surprise that most of us produce this neurochemical in low quantities. Many tragedies and things outside of our control occur every day so the Creator has placed GABA molecules in us, the anti-anxiety molecule to help us survive the harsh realities of life. When we learn to meditate on the word of God and pray, we unconsciously trigger anti-anxiety molecules because we gain confidence. As we turn over situations into competent hands we have a quiet trust because God gives us peace. We, therefore, become great beneficiaries of serotonin, the confidence producing molecule.

I’ve mentioned all of the above to make one statement that “The joy of the Lord is [our] strength (Jeremiah 8:10, KJV). Let’s face the truth: Sin drains us. Why? Because it separates us from our source, who is God, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Not knowing God gives us spiritual ennui. We are living without the right motivation and therefore dead because the wages of sin is death.

The motivation for a robust, full life has to come from God. He has placed in us natural happiness boosters that are activated and maintained by our living in Him and vice versa. Unfortunately, some people have rejected Him and they are continually trying to chase dreams and engage in pursuits to make them happy. Yes, they are goal-oriented and they achieve many things, but their lives still remain empty because they have placed too much burden on themselves when God is there to take the stress off their backs. He has already given us more than enough assurance:

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalms 55:22, KJV).

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7, KJV).

Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10 , KJV).

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, KJV).

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6-7. KJV).

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33, KJV).

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, KJV) .

Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah (Psalms 62:8, KJV).
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose (Romans 8:28, KJV).

The psalmist David also speaks about the advantages of trusting in God:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

If we follow his lead, we will not have to depend on outside influences to enjoy living. We will be guaranteed complete joy regardless of our circumstances.